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I hate having blood drawn ..... even my hiv tests have been a challenge .... fainted several times due to stress and the sight of it makes me pass out. I have not done labs yet .... exactly how much blood do they take???!!!

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

I do not look. My heart rate goes up and I get really nervous, even after five years of doing it. I also have them use a small needle, so it doesn't hurt as bad. If the person doing it is good, I usally calm right down. I try to remember their names but I never do, lol.

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Diagnosed July 28th 2003

'I don't want to get to the end of my life and find that I just lived the length of it. I want to have lived the width of it as well.' -Diande Ackerman

'Why not go out on a limb? Isn't that where the fruit is?' -Frank Scully

I am a woose. Don't look till they get the little tube thingi in. Then sometimes watch as they fill all those vials. Awhile back, I had HELLgatha, who just put a needle in, and then kept changing tubes, she was stretching, so the needle was moving around, now that kinda freeked me out. I stupidly make the comment to her, that gee she was filling every color of vial they had with the exception of one color.Would you believe, she pulled out the last colored vial and filled it with my blood, then promptly threw it into the waste basket next to the chair. So much for "medical profesionalism". Wow, hopefully no WW in AMI will read this one!!! Anyway, my Dr and I kinda chuckled about that one. I wonder if HELLgatha knew my blood was a bio-hazard or not, lol. But over all, no problems for me, I got big horse veigns, and if we don't cry, we get a Sponge Bob Square pants bandade too!!!LOL - Hugs, Bruce

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"To all within the sound of my voice, I appeal: Learn with me the lessons of history and of grace, so my children will not be afraid to say the word ďAIDSĒ when I am gone. Then, their children and yours may not need to whisper it at all." Mary Fisher

after nearly 18 yrs, of at least 6 blood draws a year, each with at least 6 vialsthat's 648+ vials of blood that's been sucked outta me.

this approximate total also doesn't take into account several times when 8 to 12 vials have been drawn at once, nor all the blood that was taken during the 2 times (9 days, with at least some blood taken every day) that I was hospitalized with pnuemonia or PCP.

knock on wood, only 4 times in all these years did I ever end up with a bruise. and I would venture to say that I watched every time - except for two. Both of those times were when I was awakened in the hospital in the middle of the night by some (surely demonic ) nurse stabbing a needle into my arm taking blood at the ungodly hour of 3 o'clock in the morning.

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leatherman (aka mIkIE)

All the stars are flashing high above the seaand the party is on fire around you and meWe're gonna burn this disco down before the morning comes- Pet Shop Boys chart from 1992-2015Isentress/Prezcobix

I always watch. I have good veins and depending on the amount of viles its relatively quick. Meanwhile I chit chat with the person sticking my arm and thank them afterward if I think they did a good job. I think the worst part of getting my blood drawn is that rubber band. It hurts my arm.

Ya, Wendy, I am a "chatty cathy" too when they are taking my blood. In most of their little booths, they have lots of pics of kids, pets, yards, etc, so always focus on them, not me. Actually all the people in the lab have been great, even HELLgatha is actually nice, just abit more, well, army sargentess type.I always thank them too, I am sure they appreciate that.

Hugs, Bruce

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"To all within the sound of my voice, I appeal: Learn with me the lessons of history and of grace, so my children will not be afraid to say the word ďAIDSĒ when I am gone. Then, their children and yours may not need to whisper it at all." Mary Fisher

I am drawn to watching the needle go in,, but once that blood sarts filling up the tubes I have to turn away. But whats even worse for me is after all is done and I get up and "accidentally" see all the tubes of blood that just came out of me... I get woozy over that.

Yes. My veins are so deep or ''roll' so bad that I have to show them where to stick it in. Otherwise, I would wind up a pin cushion with no blood drawn as they are not 'supposed' to stick you unsuccessfully more than 3 times. (true or no, I don't know, but that's what they tell me)

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"I'm not done yet"....Glen Campbell

"I may not be exactly where I want to be, but I sure as Hell am not where I was" Wynnona Judd

Diagnosed/HIV1993AZTNorvir1994-2001Crixivan/Epivir/ZeritNo Meds for 7 Years

I go to one of the local clinics that is part of a comprehensive day patient center of the largest hospital in town. They have this one unit that specializes in nothing but drawing blood for all sort of tests so whenever I go for blood draw there are always dozens of folks waiting; it also means a single nurse (there are usually around 10 of them) can do 50-60 patients per morning.

And of course most patients are elderly folks and it can take forever, and sometimes my nurse can already be in testy mood no matter how hard she tries not to (always a she). So this one cold morning it took this nurse a while to get my vein out so to speak and it really hurt! Now I know better - it's not necessary I know but I will drink a bottle of water right before my turn and just generally swinging both my arms (you never know which one) to "warm up". The last few times it took no time for the nurses to draw enough and no pain at all.

So, to answer your question.. .. I didn't look in the past but now I dare.

Shaun, I also have to make sure I'm well hydrated and I also do the warm-up type exercises with my arms before a draw and I also rub my arms. I learned to do this the hard way... after a few times when they had a really hard time finding a vein. I get my bloods done in the same clinic where I see my doctor and there's one nurse who really knows my veins and normally gets me the first time. He's great and I always ask for him, or another male nurse who's very good with a needle. I avoid the other nurses if I can, because they never seem to get it right the first or even second time.

Ever have someone "dig" for a vein? I do NOT allow that to happen. I've even taken hold of a nurse's hand and pulled them away from my arm if they start doing that and don't stop when asked to. I swear, some of them think they're operating a JCB instead of a syringe.

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

Sometimes I do and sometimes not, not afraid of needles or any of that kind of thing. I usually make small talk with the nurse while in the process in case HE/SHE has any reservations or feels nervous about it. I have only had a few times that I felt the nurse was exceptionally rough, but no biggy.

Yes I always look..... the nurses at one of the Hospitals that I have used for convenience ( instead of my ID Dr's office ) run a " training" program for " blood suckers" .. I have such prominent veins in most parts of my body that they bring in the "students" to show them all the good places to "look" for veins. I think six vials is the least amount drawn , occasionally as many as ten.....I sort of just chat ..no big deal once they get started...... even with very prominent veins I sometimes get a picker that has to try more than once.....they never get a second session with me......I was so angry with one person ( a Foreign born Dr trying to get his license in the US ) that I pushed him and his "trainers away and called for the head nurse....had him banned from drawing blood until he passed at least two more practise sessions on himself and his colleagues my "bruise " at the injection point took weeks to go away.. after that episode the Hospital wrote me every time I went in there to be sure I was "happy" with their service.

Yes. But not the first few times. Now I always look. It is better if you hold your breath when the needle is going to enter your vein. Then you may start beathing again. You donīt feel anythig if you do it that way.

Being a former junkie, when they first started doing labs years and years ago, when they would put the needle in, I would hold my breath waiting for the rush. Damn, never happened.

Anyway, sometimes I look and sometimes not. Getting blood drawn is no big deal, as long as it's done right. I've had some techs who I've just wanted to shout at "give me the damn needle, I'll do it!"

Both Katie and I are ex junkies and we both related to missing the 'rush'. Katie will supervise and only give them one chance. If they miss, she will say "give it to me, I'll do it" For some reason, they insist that they have to do it, even with you telling them that you know your veins. ...and Katie is a bruiser.

I don't look when they stick in it, but watching the blood flow is cool!

I have very attractive shade of deep red blood.

HUGS,

Mark

Wooing your blood. I hate it when they get three vials and need six and the flow stops. I fortunately know how to get it going again and practically have to act like Obama getting the stimulus passed to get them to listen to me.

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"I'm not done yet"....Glen Campbell

"I may not be exactly where I want to be, but I sure as Hell am not where I was" Wynnona Judd

Diagnosed/HIV1993AZTNorvir1994-2001Crixivan/Epivir/ZeritNo Meds for 7 Years

Before I got PCP, I couldn't stand needles, but after my fortnight in hospital that included one morning when I had 30+ samples taken at the one time, a test for TB (big, BIG bottle of blood), and a lumbar puncture, they really don't bother me any more! Also, my hospital uses a great little contraption: the needle is on the end of flexible tubing so that when the little collection tubes are changed, the needle doesn't get moved and hence there's no pain.

Getting cannulised (a venflon put in), is another matter, however! That is often REALLY sore!

You all have just confirmed what an odd child Mini is. Not only does she look, she tells them which arm to use, how many vials they'd "better" take out, and where to put the needle. Once they tie her off, if she doesn't think the vein pops up enough, she tells them to try the other arm. She also tells them that they have one chance, and then it's HER turn to try it out on them. She stamps her own lab slips and asks the receptionist how she's doing, if so-and-so is working, then chats it up with the other people waiting.

The last couple of times she's gone into the room without me. The first time she screamed then started laughing - she wanted to "scare" the blood lady. And, if they don't have the proper "treat" when she's finished, ie Barbie stickers, she raises a fuss.

When I told her yesterday that her blood work is Tuesday, her immediate response was, "Cool! It's about time!"

Now, when I have to have labs, they lay me down, I break out in cold sweats, my blood pressure goes up and I start to shake. I HATE needles!

I never look. I used to faint every single time as a kid whenever I had a blood test.But that doesn't happen anymore since I went from 95 lbs at 18 years old to about 150 lbs today. I don't faint anymore, but I still don't like to look.

After all these years, I know which veins give a better draw. I heard a loud pop once from my arm and the Nurse acted like it wasn't nothin (happens all the time) Oh Yeah... We had a new guy once and he was shaking so bad, you could connect the dots and it would read "Home Sweet Home". Have the best dayMichael

I usually don't look. Unless I suspect something out of the ordinary is happening. Fortunately, my blood flows quickly, so it doesn't last long. I prefer the person doing it to just make 'idle chat' about the weather, work etc. A few times i had someone who would talk to themselves...like " i've never had to draw this many viles' or " that's a tricky little vein, let's see if we can get it"....THAT I don't like! I want whoever is on the other end of the needle to at least 'appear' to know what they're doing.

I never used to look ... but once I started to have esophageal dilations every week where I was given an IV I started learning which veins were the best ones to use. Now, I tell them which arm & which vein they should use.

The worst part of it for me is pulling off the band-aid as it takes my arm hair with it.

AA

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It is not the arrival that matters. It is the journey along the way. -- Michel Montaigne

Yeah I look and it doesn't bother me. Had my first labs a couple of weeks ago and they took 10 vials of blood(for various tests such as testosterone, thyroid, and the usual HIV tests. The phlebotomist just attached this device that stayed in my vein and then popped the vials in to fill them up with blood. It's more having to wait for them fill up that bothers me then having given up all that blood. Last time the drew blood for some STD tests they left me pretty bruised. My arm looked like those of a junky . But I will admit that injections bother me less then taking blood.

Wendy, they still use a butterfly needle on Mim. If a bigger needle isn't needed, why use one?

One phlebotomy student had the "luck" of drawing Mim's blood. I thought I was going to pee my pants. She was quite the nervous type. Everytime she got the needle close to the vein, Mim would bend her head so she could look the lady in the eyes, and tell her, "You only have one chance...You only have ONE chance." The poor thing finally handed the needle to someone else, telling them she couldn't find a vein (yeah, right). I did fuss, not too harshly, when it was over and tell Mim she shouldn't have given the poor girl such a hard time. Her answer, "But mom, it wasn't YOUR arm she was aiming at." End of discussion.

Wendy, they still use a butterfly needle on Mim. If a bigger needle isn't needed, why use one?

One phlebotomy student had the "luck" of drawing Mim's blood. I thought I was going to pee my pants. She was quite the nervous type. Everytime she got the needle close to the vein, Mim would bend her head so she could look the lady in the eyes, and tell her, "You only have one chance...You only have ONE chance." The poor thing finally handed the needle to someone else, telling them she couldn't find a vein (yeah, right). I did fuss, not too harshly, when it was over and tell Mim she shouldn't have given the poor girl such a hard time. Her answer, "But mom, it wasn't YOUR arm she was aiming at." End of discussion.

Mum

LOL that is too funny

I have fairly small arms and I bruise easily, bleed freely and take forever to clot. So small needles = better for me definitely.

Shaun, I also have to make sure I'm well hydrated and I also do the warm-up type exercises with my arms before a draw and I also rub my arms. I learned to do this the hard way... after a few times when they had a really hard time finding a vein...Ann

I never even thought of staying hydrated, does it help find a vein? I'm usually the opposite, because having the blood taken makes me nervous I know I;m gonna have to go to the washroom, so I don't drink anything beforehand. Imagine my panic when I discovered the hospital removed the bathroom near the lab for some stupid reason! I couldn't find one on the entire floor and nobody working there seemed to know where the closest one was Luckily they don't usually a problem finding a vein.

Being extra hydrated helps finding veins a ton! I'm a health care professional and we always encourage our hard to stick patients to drink extra water the night before and the morning of the lab draw. Also, using those squeeze balls in your hand for 20 minutes or so before the draw will help a lot, along with washing your hands in warm water right before going to the lab. And finally, let gravity help by dangling your arm for several minutes before the draw.

I can watch, but prefer not to. I can watch them take it from someone else with no problems, but there's something about seeing SO MANY tubes get filled from my arm, it makes me a little light headed.

At our clinic, they use butterfly needles, which are great. But for YEARS and YEARS my phlebotomist in Atlanta never used one, just the kind that is attached to the end of the vacuum thing....he was the best I have ever known, could slip that in, didn't fool around, never hurt me, and certainly never bruised me. He also knew how to 'code' those lab slips, so that I never received a bill from Medicare. If he was ever out, and someone else had to do the draw, I invariably received some type of bill for some test that 'wasn't covered'.

I am quite fond of the wrapping tape they use now, as opposed to a bandaid. They just apply a cottom ball, and wrap it with that clingy tape that's easy to remove and doesn't snatch any hair.

Now with BIG needles (and other torture devices) such as bone marrow aspiration, and liver biopsy, I recommend that you don't look.

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"Remember my sentimental friend that a heart is not judged by how much you love, but by how much you are loved by others." - The Wizard of Oz

I use the time to read any poster about some new up and coming disease on the doctor's wall :-)

J

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"The Bible contains 6 admonishments to homosexuals and 362 admonishments to heterosexuals. That doesn`t mean that God doesn`t love heterosexuals. It`s just that they need more supervision." -- Lynn Lavne

Like others on here, I get really nervous and woozy feeling. My heart races and my palms sweat. I, too, prefer the butterfly needles. There is something about when they take the tube out and replace it with another one that makes me nauseated. I think it is the pushing the tube into the needle part...I don't like that pressure feeling.